Behind three touchdowns from KC Concepcion and two TDs by Jordan Waters, N.C. State football prevailed against feisty FCS opponent Western Carolina with a 38-21 win at Carter-Finley Stadium in the season opener.
Trailing 21-17 entering the fourth quarter, the Wolfpack (1-0) took the lead for good on Concepcion's third TD of the evening. N.C. State added to its lead on running back Jordan Waters' two TDs in the final seven minutes.
The comeback came after an uninspiring first half for the Wolfpack, which was tied with the Catamounts at 14 entering the third quarter.
N.C. State had an interception, ejection, two fumbles — both recovered by the Wolfpack — and dropped two interceptions in the first quarter. In the second quarter, State had a turnover on downs on consecutive possessions, including their final drive of the second quarter.
Concepcion saved the day with his performance, scoring multiple touchdowns for the sixth time in his career. He finished with nine catches for 121 yards. Former Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall logged more than 300 passing yards and three TDs.
Following its fourth season with at least eight wins in a row, N.C. State enters its 12th season under head coach Dave Doeren with championship expectations.
WATCH NC STATE VS WESTERN CAROLINA LIVE ON FUBO (FREE TRIAL)
The Pack starts the 2024 college football season at No. 22 in the USA TODAY Sports US LBM Coaches Poll and No. 24 in the AP Top 25. N.C. State heads to Charlotte next weekend for a showdown with No. 15 Tennessee as part of the Duke’s Mayo Classic.
NC STATE REPORT CARD VS WESTERN
Refresh this page and keep it bookmarked for live updates from the Wolfpack’s season opener against Western Carolina.
NC State vs Western Carolina score updates
This section will be updated when the game begins.
NC State 38, Western Carolina 21: Final score
N.C. State started the 2024 college football season with a 38-21 win against Western Carolina.
Jordan Waters breaks free for second touchdown at NC State
Jordan Waters scored on a 50-yard touchdown run to extend the Wolfpack's lead to 38-21 late in the fourth quarter. Waters had 123 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back Jordan Waters extends NC State's lead with touchdown run
N.C. State running back Jordan Waters broke six tackles on a 7-yard touchdown run to extend the Wolfpack's lead to 31-21 with 6:32 left in the fourth quarter.
KC Concepcion scores third touchdown to give NC State lead in fourth quarter
KC Concepcion broke four tackles on his way to the end zone for a 35-yard TD. NC State regains the lead, 24-21, with 14:45 left to play.
Western Carolina 21, NC State 17 at the end of third quarter
Western Carolina carried a 21-17 lead into the fourth quarter against N.C. State.
Western Carolina takes lead on Branson Adams touchdown
Western Carolina took a 21-17 lead with 4:36 left in the third quarter when Branson Adams scored on a 17-yard touchdown run.
NC State takes first lead vs Western Carolina with Kanoah Vinesett field goal
Kanoah Vinesett with a 46-yard field goal to give NC State its first lead of the game. Wolfpack leads 17-14 (8:00 3Q).
NC State 14, Western Carolina 14 at halftime
NC State and Western Carolina at tied at 14 after the end of the second quarter.
NC State quarterback Grayson McCall and wide receiver KC Concepcion for second touchdown
Grayson McCall to KC Concepcion for the second time tonight. Solid combo. NC State and Western Carolina tied at 14 with 12:03 left in the first half.
Western Carolina 14, NC State 7 at the end of the first quarter
Western Carolina carried a 14-7 lead into the second quarter. N.C. State had an interception, ejection, two fumbles — both recovered by the Wolfpack — in the first quarter.
Western Carolina takes 14-7 lead against NC State
Western Carolina quarterback Cole Gonzales threw his second touchdown of the game when he connected with AJ Colombo for a 12-yard TD. N.C. State trailed 14-7 with five seconds left in the first quarter.
NC State ties game after quarterback Grayson McCall finds wide receiver KC Concepcion for touchdown
With 2:39 left in the first quarter, N.C. State tied the game after a 17-yard touchdown pass from Grayson McCall to KC Concepcion.
Western Carolina quarterback Cole Gonzales puts NC State in early hole
Western Carolina quarterback Cole Gonzales finds Jake Young for an 8-yard touchdown on the play following the interception to put N.C. State in an early hole. The Wolfpack trailed 7-0 with 5:55 left in the first quarter.
NC State quarterback Grayson McCall throws interception
Grayson McCall threw an interception, snagged by Ken Moore Jr. late in the first quarter.
NC State linebacker Caden Fordham ejected for targeting
NC State linebacker Caden Fordham, who had a chance for an interception on the first offensive play of the game, was ejected with 12:44 left in the first quarter.
DJ Burns, NC State basketball star during Final Four run, at Carter-Finley Stadium
DJ Burns, one of the stars of NC State basketball's ACC Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament Final Four runs last season, is back in Raleigh. Burns will fire up the Wolfpack fans at Carter-Finley Stadium as the Alpha Wolf Starter.
NC State vs Western Carolina in lightning delay
The NC State vs. Western Carolina game is in a lightning delay. Kickoff, which was originally scheduled for 7, will now be at 7:32 p.m. inside Carter-Finley Stadium.
NC State vs Western Carolina time today
Date: Thursday, August 29
Start time: 7 p.m.
The N.C. State vs Western Carolina game starts at 7 p.m. from Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
What channel is NC State vs Western Carolina on today?
TV Channel: ACC Network
Livestream: Fubo (free trial)
N.C. State vs. Western Carolina will broadcast nationally on ACC Network in Week 1 of the 2024 college football season. Wes Durham and Tom Luginbill will call the game from the booth at Carter-Finley Stadium, with Dana Boyle reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers. Matt Chazanow, Johnny Evans and Tony Haynes will have the radio call on the Wolfpack Sports Network.
NC State vs Western Carolina history
Series record: N.C. State leads, 7-0
N.C. State's last win: 2019 (41-0)
Western Carolina's last win: N/A
NC State vs Western Carolina predictions
N.C. State 44, Western Carolina 7: The new-look Wolfpack will have a chance to show off in front of fans at Carter-Finley Stadium before heading to Charlotte for the Duke’s Mayo Classic. N.C. State will come out firing and provide plenty of playing time for its reserves in the second half.
NC STATE VS WESTERN CAROLINA PREVIEW
NC State vs Western Carolina betting odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Wednesday:
Spread: N.C. State by 32 ½ points
Over/under: 60 ½ points
Moneyline: N.C. State (N/A), Western Carolina (N/A)
NC State vs Western Carolina injury updates
The latest injury updates will be provided in the pregame.
NC State vs Western Carolina weather update
The high for Thursday is 98 degrees, but temperatures at kickoff are expected to be around 89 degrees under clear skies at Carter Finley Stadium.
BUY NC STATE FOOTBALL TICKETS
NC State schedule 2024
- Aug. 29: Western Carolina
- Sept. 7: Tennessee (Duke’s Mayo Classic in Charlotte)
- Sept. 14: Louisiana Tech
- Sept. 21: at Clemson
- Sept. 28: Northern Illinois
- Oct. 5: Wake Forest
- Oct. 12: Syracuse
- Oct. 19: at Cal
- Oct. 26: OPEN
- Nov. 2: Stanford
- Nov. 9: Duke
- Nov. 16: OPEN
- Nov. 21: at Georgia Tech (Thursday)
- Nov. 30: at UNC
Western Carolina schedule 2024
- Aug. 29: at N.C. State
- Sept. 7: Campbell
- Sept. 14: at Elon
- Sept. 21: at Montana
- Sept. 28: OPEN
- Oct. 5: Wofford
- Oct. 12: The Citadel
- Oct. 19: at Furman
- Oct. 26: at Mercer
- Nov. 2: Chattanooga
- Nov. 9: at ETSU
- Nov. 16: VMI
- Nov. 23: at Samford
NC State football news
- N.C. State vs. Western Carolina scouting report, score prediction
- Bold predictions for N.C. State football in 2024
- Game-by-game predictions for N.C. State football in 2024
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
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